BLURB: Thornwell Shipton is wealthy, uptight, closeted, and an incurable workaholic. A tragic love affair left him terrified of relationships, so he tells himself sex is better scheduled and paid for.

Riley Dashwood is young, easy-going, and comfortable in his own skin. He’s a passionate baker and an aspiring chef, working as an escort to save up for culinary school.

They’re clearly made for each other.

When Thorne hires Dash, it’s lust at first sight. After a few scorching nights together, both men start to wonder if what’s between them is more than physical, but their age gap and resistance to romance make them afraid to change their professional relationship to a personal one. Dash pushes Thorne to admit he wants things he’s denied himself for years. Kinky things. Soft, caring things. Things that force him to open his heart, not just his body. To move forward, one or the other must take a risk and ask for what he really wants.

TEASER

EXCERPT: Thorne’s workweek was just as bad as he’d expected it to be. At least, the memories of Dash and the anticipation of what was to come once he was back in town on Friday made it bearable, more than bearable actually. He’d jacked off every single night in the hotel, thinking of Dash while he finger-fucked himself and pretended it was Dash’s cock inside him.

That afternoon, he’d had a final tedious meeting with the client who claimed to want his advice but argued with him every fucking step of the way. A delay at the airport did nothing to ease Thorne’s annoyance. His neck and shoulders ached with tension by the time he landed in Atlanta. He couldn’t wait to see Dash. After coaxing, pushing, and manipulating clients all week, he wanted to let go and concentrate on nothing but pleasure. He was so eager to be held down, forced, and used that he had to move his jacket in front of him to hide his hard-on as he stood in the taxi line.

He reached home with barely time to clean up and change before Dash arrived. When he emerged from the shower, he slipped on his plush terry robe, another one of the luxuries he afforded himself. The robe had cost more than some of his colleagues’ suits, but he had the money, and he loved the feel of the soft fabric against his skin. He figured there was no need to dress since he hoped to be naked within minutes of Dash arriving. This time he wasn’t going to let Dash distract him. He was going to get down to business right away.

The buzzer alerted him to a visitor before he had a chance to pour himself a cocktail, but that was fine—even the best bourbon was no match for Dash.

“Mr. Dash is here to see you, sir. Shall I send him up?” Michaels asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

Thorne frowned at the agitated state of his stomach. Butterflies. Fucking butterflies. He’d hired this man, and he was—oh fuck, why’d he have to think of that—twenty years younger.

Dash knocked, the same two sharp taps as last week.

Once Thorne let him in, Dash eyed him appreciatively. “Dressed for the occasion?”

“And why shouldn’t I be?” Thorne asked as he pushed the door shut.

“It’s a good look for you.” Dash’s gaze traveled down Thorne’s body. “You have beautiful feet.”

“Is that a thing for you?” Thorne asked, wiggling his toes.

Dash laughed. “So you can be playful after all.”

Thorne snorted at his impertinence.

“And my thing is whatever my client wants.”

Thorne raised a brow, challenging him.

“It’s not a particular fetish of mine—though I appreciate beauty in all forms and places—but I aim to serve my clients’ needs.”

“Or to tell them what those needs are.”

“Is that what you’d like me to do today?” Dash asked. He seemed to grow a few inches taller as he let the commanding persona settle over him.

Thorne ignored him. Dash had his messenger bag with him again, but he was also carrying a white paper bag that smelled of cake—rich cake.

“What’s that?” Thorne reached for the bag.

Dash slapped his hand away. “It’s a surprise for later.”

Thorne frowned. “Why do I feel like you wanted to tack ‘if you’re a good boy’ on to that sentence?”

Dash laughed. “Maybe I did.”

“I told you I—”

“Don’t do submissive. And I told you I wasn’t so sure you didn’t.”

Thorne hated how right Dash might be. “Look—”

Dash held up a hand. “I have an idea for tonight. Would you like me to run with it and see where it takes us, or are you going to wrestle control?”

Why the fuck did that sound so sexy—grappling with Dash, fighting for who would be on top. “Is both an option?”

Dash grinned. “We’ll have to see.”

“Worried about an old guy’s stamina?”

“You don’t seem the least bit old to me.”

Dash’s statement caught Thorne off guard, because it wasn’t made in the same playful tone. It sounded serious, heartfelt. Or maybe Thorne’s brain was too clouded by lust to tell. “I’d like to hear your idea.”

Dash set the paper bag down on the coffee table and unzipped his satchel. He pulled out a plug—not the giant vibrating one that had caught Thorne’s attention the week before—a basic one that was large enough to make a man really feel it but not scare him.

Thorne inclined his head toward the plug. “I like it so far.”

“Then turn around.”

Thorne almost protested. But he was the one who’d insisted they get right down to business.

“Kneel on the couch and brace yourself on the back.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Silvia Violet writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including sci fi, paranormal, alternate history, and historical.

She can often be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinful chocolate treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading children’s books to her wickedly smart offspring.

Enter for the chance to win a $20 Gift Card to either Amazon or ARe, winner’s choice!

The Fine Print:

*Entrants must be 18 years or older to qualify
*Some residency restrictions may apply
*All comments must be relevant to the author’s prompt to be eligible (when applicable)
*The Novel Approach will not be held liable for prize delivery unless otherwise specified
*Void where prohibited by law

Happy Sunday, fellow book addicts, and welcome back to another sneak peek of what we have in store for you in the week ahead. It’s going to be packed to the hilt with guests, giveaways, and reviews, so without further delay, here’s what’s coming up!

Monday – Kicking off our week, we’ll be welcoming author Rebecca Cohen on the tour for her new novel He’s Behind You

We’ll also have author Rick R. Reed with us today on the tour for his new romantic thriller The Couple Next Door

Tuesday – Today we’ve got a big day planned, starting with a cover reveal for Lane Hayes’s new novel A Kind of Truth

Then following that, we’ll have author Kate Hill with us to chat about her new novel Blow by Blow

Wednesday – Sticking with the “Big Day” theme, today we kick things off with author Cardeno C. on the audiobook tour for Just What the Truth Is, book five in the Home series

Next, author Silvia Violet joins us on the tour for her new novel Professional Distance

Followed by author JA Rock on The Subs Club blog Tour

And finally, we’ll have another installment in DSP Publications’ “Genre Talk” with Carole Cummings and Lex Chase to look forward to

Thursday – Today kicks off with author Joe Cosentino on the tour for his new Christmas novella A Home for the Holidays

And next up we’ll welcome author LB Gregg on the tour for With This Bling, book three in one of my all-time favorites, the Romano and Albright series

Friday – We have a couple of great guests today; first comes author Cate Ashwood on the tour for her new novel A Forced Silence

Then, author Santino Hassell stops back by on the tour for the second novel in his Five Boroughs series, Sunset Park

Saturday – To close out the week, we’re pleased to be taking part in a very special tour for Pride Publishing’s Racing Hearts Anthology, with contributing author Ethan Stone. All proceeds from the book will be donated to Cancer Research UK and Prospect Hospice in memory of Peter Laybourn, the late husband of Pride editor Sue Laybourn

We’re so pleased to welcome author Silvia Violet to The Novel Approach today with an exclusive excerpt for her latest release, Unexpected Engagement. Enjoy this little teaser, and then be sure to click on the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for the chance to win a $25 Amazon or ARe Gift Card.

Good luck!

Blurb: Simon McLeod was a promising young naval captain before his ship was attacked and CIA agents forced him to fake his death and join their ranks. Since that horrible night, Simon has focused on finding the men responsible for ending his career. He’s close now, but he needs help from the man he loves. The problem is Edgar is straight, has no idea how Simon feels, and threatened to strangle him the last time they were together.

After years of using his medical expertise to patch Simon up after ill-advised missions, Edgar told Simon not to come running to him anymore. Watching Simon self-destruct was too painful. But when Simon shows up on Edgar’s doorstep covered in blood, Edgar can’t turn him away. He also can’t fight the feelings he has for Simon, feelings that go way beyond friendship.

Neither man thought he’d ever truly be happy again, but if they can survive a final dangerous mission, they might be able to prove themselves wrong.

Edgar shook his head. When Simon started being a good little boy, he’d know the end of the world was nigh.

He wasn’t prepared for the sight that assaulted him when he stepped into his bedroom. Simon was sitting up in his bed with a stack of pillows behind him, wearing an ancient cardigan of Edgar’s over one of his T-shirts and a pair of reading glasses he must have found in the nightstand.

“What are you doing?” he asked Si.

“Working. What does it look like?”

“You’re wearing my glasses. And my sweater.”

“I was cold and it’s not like I’ve got clothes of my own here.”

“And the glasses?” Edgar asked.

Simon huffed. “So my eyes aren’t perfect anymore. I get my job done.”

Edgar pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. “I’m sure you do,” he said when he could trust himself to keep a straight face.

“You’re mocking me.”

“No, not at all.” But the laugh came through then. “You’re the deadliest man I know, and here you are looking like a teenage dork in oversized clothes.”

Simon shrugged. “I can’t kill people all the time.”

About the Author: Silvia Violet writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary, and historical. She can be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinfully delicious treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading to her incorrigible offspring.

*Entrants must be 18 years or older to qualify
*Some residency restrictions may apply
*All comments must be relevant to the author’s prompt to be eligible (when applicable)
*The Novel Approach will not be held liable for prize delivery unless otherwise specified
*Void where prohibited by law

Hi, fellow book hoarders, and welcome to another sneak peek at what we have in store for you in the week ahead, as I’m feverishly preparing for the trip to San Diego and GayRomLit 2015. I hope to see so many of you there. And I hope you’ll stop me and say hello. We’ll have coffee and chat books. :-D

We’re so pleased to welcome author Silvia Violet to The Novel Approach today to help us celebrate the Countdown to GRL 2015 in sunny San Diego.

Enjoy Silvia’s guest post, and be sure to pay special attention to the part where she tells you how you can enter for the chance to win $10 in e-Bucks at All Romance eBooks.

Good luck!

This will be my fourth GRL and I’m excitedly counting down the days ready to see the friends I’ve made during the last four years and meet new readers and authors. I always come away from GRL filled up with love for this genre. I’ve been a voracious romance reader since my teens. The heroes filled my fantasies: British noblemen, sultry vampires, alpha wolves, rough-riding cowboy, hard-edged Navy SEALs. I love them all. When I discovered Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series, I fell in love with Jules Cassidy. After reading his story, I was open to more m/m storylines. I sough out some m/m/f ménage and read a few m/m here and there, but it wasn’t until I read Cut & Run that I because a full-on m/m romance fanatic. I’m thrilled to have the privilege of being an author in this genre and I can’t wait to see everyone in San Diego. Please feel free to introduce yourself to me. I’m always eager to talk books.

Let me know how you found this genre in the comments and you’ll have a chance to win $10 in e-bucks from All Romance eBooks. Also, I offer a free book to anyone who joins my newsletter. (**See Below for Contest Rules and Deadlines**)

My next release will be Unexpected Engagement (Unexpected Book 3). It will be available October 1. It’s currently with my editor and I’m working on another story. The main characters, Simon and Edgar, are getting a bit impatient. Here’s a conversation we had while I was writing:

Simon: I’ve been waiting years for him to finally realize we should be more than friends. You have to finish our story now.

Me: If you’ve waited years, you can wait a little while longer.

Simon: Come on. If I can just get one kiss, I’ll have him right where I want him.

Edgar: *grabs my attention when he thinks Simon’s not listening* I’ve wanted him for so long, and I’ve put up with so much shit from him. It’s time for him to pay. With his ass.”

Me: Oh, oh that sounds very intriguing, but like I told Si, if you’ve waited this long, you can wait some more.

Edgar: You know you want to hear him whimper just as badly as I do.

Me: *barely contains whimper of my own* I um… I’m editing as fast as I can.

Simon: *realizing Edgar is talking to me* What are you doing?

Edgar: Trying to get our story written. Now don’t go being an asshole to her and ruining it. She’s not good at taking orders.

Simon: Neither are you.

Edgar: *giving him a once over* No, I’m not

Me: Boys! Stop right now. If you want a story, then you wait your turn.

Simon: I don’t believe in waiting.

Me: Unless you’re going to type it yourself, you don’t have much choice.

Simon: No typing for me today. My hands will be busy.

Edgar: Busy? I’m thinking they’ll be all tied up.

Blurb: Simon McLeod was a promising young naval captain before his ship was attacked and CIA agents forced him to fake his death and join their ranks. Since that horrible night, Simon has focused on finding the men responsible for ending his career. He’s close now, but he needs help from the man he loves. The problem is Edgar is straight, has no idea how Simon feels, and threatened to strangle him the last time they were together.

After years of using his medical expertise to patch Simon up after ill-advised missions, Edgar told Simon not to come running to him anymore. Watching Simon self-destruct was too painful. But when Simon shows up on Edgar’s doorstep covered in blood, Edgar can’t turn him away. He also can’t fight the feelings he has for Simon, feelings that go way beyond friendship.

Neither man thought he’d ever truly be happy again, but if they can survive a final dangerous mission, they might be able to prove themselves wrong.

Author Bio: Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia’s stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Read excerpts from Silvia’s stories at her website.

*Entrants must be 18 years or older to qualify
*No residency restrictions apply
*All comments must be relevant to the author’s prompt to be eligible
*The Novel Approach will not be held liable for prize delivery unless otherwise specified*Comments must be received by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, September 13, 2015, to be valid

Cheers, everyone, and many thanks to you for popping in to see who and what we have coming up for you in the next six days. We have a great lineup of authors set to visit with us this week, so I hope you’ll come back to spend some time with us.

Here’s what’s on tap!

Monday – Kicking off the week, we welcome author Z. Allora, with a chat about the re-release of book one in her Club Zombies series, Zombies Ahead

We’ll also have author Chris McHart joining us today, on the Alex’s Surprise/Saving Alex blog Tour

Tuesday – Today we’ll be bringing author Katey Hawthorne your way, on the tour for her new book Back to the Sky

Wednesday – We kick off the day today with author Silvia Violet, our next guest on the Countdown to GayRomLit blog tour

Author Lloyd A. Meeker will also be stopping in to talk to you a bit about his new novel from Wilde City Press, Blood & Dirt

Thursday – Skylar M. Cates joins us today on the tour for her new book Lovers, Losers, and You

Friday – CJane Elliott drops in today to tell us a bit about her new novel Sex, Love, and Videogames

We’ll also have K.A. Mitchell popping in with an interview for her new novel Put a Ring on It

Saturday – Finally, to close out our week, we’ll have Max Vos with us on the tour for his new audiobook My Hero

Title:Unexpected EngagementSeries: Unexpected: Book ThreeLength: 250 Pages (approx.)Cover Artist: Meredith RussellRelease Date: October 1, 2015Blurb: Simon McLeod was a promising young naval captain before pirates attacked his ship and CIA agents forced him to fake his death and join their ranks. Since that horrible night, Simon has focused on finding the men responsible for ending his career. He’s close now, but he needs help from the man he loves. That’s a problem because Edgar is straight, has no idea how Simon feels, and threatened to strangle him the last time they were together.

For years Edgar used his medical expertise to patch Simon up after ill-advised missions. Ultimately, watching Simon self-destruct became too painful and Edgar told Simon not to come running to him anymore. But when Simon shows up on Edgar’s doorstep covered in blood, Edgar can’t turn him away. He also can’t fight the feelings he has for Simon, feelings that go way beyond friendship.

Neither man thought he’d ever truly be happy again, but if they can survive a final dangerous mission, they might be able to prove themselves wrong.

To receive a free book from Silvia as well as get updates on Unexpected Engagement and other upcoming releases,sign up for Silvia’s newsletter: http://silviaviolet.com/newsletter/

Excerpt: Edgar rubbed his eyes and turned over, which nearly resulted in him falling off the bed. What the fuck? Oh, right he wasn’t on the bed. He was on the couch. Again. He checked the clock. Four AM. He’d guessed right. Nowhere near time to get up. So what the hell had woken him this time?

He listened, waiting for a clue.

A few seconds later, he heard it. A whisper of sound, just outside the door of his apartment. Most people wouldn’t notice but he’d honed his instincts in the years he spent as a medic for a SEAL team, years before he was assigned to the Ridgeway and Simon. Sometimes hearing a whisper of sound meant you lived to see another day.

He moved silently as he crossed the room and unlocked the drawer where he kept his gun. It had been a while since serious trouble came to find him, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

He approached the door, heart pounding, ready to defend himself any way he could. The lock began to move. The fucker was going to come in. Edgar took cover behind a sturdy chair.

The knob turned. Seconds past. Then the door swung open.

Edgar aimed for the intruder, finger on the trigger.

“Edgar, it’s me.” Simon pushed the door closed behind him and Edgar lowered his gun, flicking on the safety.

“Simon, what the fuck? Have you ever heard of knocking? I could have shot you.”

“Someone beat you to it. And why knock when I have a key.” Simon pulled his coat to the side to reveal a dark stain on his side.

“What happened?” Edgar hated the way his stomach knotted as memories rushed to his mind. Simon bleeding all over the deck. His blood staining the floor in the prison where they were taken after being “rescued” from the Ridgeway. Simon lying on that cold concrete floor. Simon flatlining while Edgar fought to save him.

“Why?” Edgar knew he should do something to help, but he was frozen in place. This was exactly why he’d quit going on missions with Simon after the disaster in South America. Edgar was no good in a crisis anymore.

Cheers, everyone, and many thanks to all of you for stopping by to take a look at what we have coming up for you in the week ahead. I’ll give you a hint: It’s a busy one and I couldn’t be happier to share all the great guests, giveaways, and reviews we have coming up with you.

Here’s what’s on tap…

Monday – Kicking off our week, we’ll have Silvia Violet with us today, and a cover reveal for her new book Unexpected Engagement

We’ll also welcome author Jeff Adams today to celebrate the audiobook release of his book Flipping for Him, narrated by the talented Jason Frazier

Tuesday – Today we’ll have Pat Henshaw stopping by for a visit on her Redesigning Max blog tour

We’ll also welcome author Cardeno C. today, with a teaser or three from the re-release of the Mates series, Wake Me Up Inside, Until Forever Comes, and In Your Eyes

Wednesday – We’ll have another Countdown to GRL 2015 guest with us today, when we welcome author Laura Harner

Thursday – The authors of MLR Press’s Storming Love: Earthquake series will be stopping in today to chat about the stories and the series

We’ll also welcome Heidi Cullinan back today with an interview on her Lonely Hearts blog tour

Friday – Nic Starr is our guest today to chat a bit about her new book Andrew’s Promise, book two in her Heroes series

Saturday – Ethan Stone drops by today for a weekend visit on his blog tour for the re-release of Blood and Tears, the next installment in his Flesh series

Sunday – Finally, easy like Sunday morning, we’ll have author Jacob Z. Flores with us today to chat a bit about his new book Blood Tied, the second installment in his Warlock Brothers of Havenbridge series

The Novel Approach welcomes author Silvia Violet today on the Coming Clean blog tour. Enjoy the excerpt she’s offered to tease you just a bit, and then be sure to enter for a chance to win a $15 Amazon or All Romance eBooks gift card by clicking on the Rafflecopter widget below.

Good luck!

Blurb: An unexpected inheritance lands Jeremy a large house and plenty of money to take a sabbatical from his job teaching poetry at a small college. He intends to sell the house and take off on a new path to discover what he wants out of life. Then he meets Connor. The attraction he feels to a man so different from himself is no less shocking than his change in financial circumstances, but Connor is in the closet and Jeremy wants a life lived out in the sun.

Connor is a former Force Recon Marine who runs a housecleaning business. When he’s hired to get Jeremy’s house market-ready, he’s startled by how attracted he is to his client despite their many differences. But his past, especially his final mission, weighs heavily on him. He’s not certain he can be the man Jeremy needs, but no man has ever made him want to take a risk like Jeremy does.

Excerpt: Connor took a step toward him. “I’m gay.” He paused and Jeremy watched his chest rise with a slow inhale. “I’ve never said it out loud before, but I’m Connor McMurtry and I’m gay.”

Jeremy grabbed Connor’s hand and pulled until they were nearly touching. “Show me just how gay you are, Connor McMurtry.”

Connor’s look of pure hunger did shivery things to Jeremy’s insides. His bearing shifted as his confidence returned. Now his wide-legged, take-charge stance made him look every inch the Marine, but instead of being intimidating, it was the sexiest damn thing Jeremy had ever seen.

Connor took hold of Jeremy’s hips and brought their bodies together. Jeremy knew from the way Connor held him that he wasn’t going to be the dominant one in this encounter. Do you trust him? Should he when Connor might freak out again? And yet Connor had come over of his own free will. He’d humbled himself, apologized, and assumed Jeremy wouldn’t want him. And Jeremy was desperate to know how it would feel to have Connor inside him, driving deep, filling him up.

About the Author: Silvia Violet writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary, sci fi, and historical. She can be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinfully delicious treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading to her incorrigible offspring. Come visit me at my website.

At a Glance: Silvia Violet has done a wonderful job, as usual, with this story.

Reviewed By: Jackie

Blurb: An unexpected inheritance lands Jeremy a large house and plenty of money to take a sabbatical from his job teaching poetry at a small college. He intends to sell the house and take off on a new path to discover what he wants out of life. Then he meets Connor. The attraction he feels to a man so different from himself is no less shocking than his change in financial circumstances, but Connor is in the closet and Jeremy wants a life lived out in the sun.

Connor is a former Force Recon Marine who runs a housecleaning business. When he’s hired to get Jeremy’s house market-ready, he’s startled by how attracted he is to his client despite their many differences. But his past, especially his final mission, weighs heavily on him. He’s not certain he can be the man Jeremy needs, but no man has ever made him want to take a risk like Jeremy does.

Review: If there is one thing I can’t resist it is a plot with a military man. Make him a man struggling with his past and his present, and that just makes me melt. Throw in a slightly nerdy bookworm who makes it an opposites attract story, and I am SOLD.

Jeremy is a lit professor who just inherited a large home and enough money to give him the opportunity to take a sabbatical to write a novel. Unsure whether he wants to keep the home or not, Jeremy decides to hire a cleaning company to get the house ready in case he does decide to sell.

Enter Connor. When Connor returned to the civilian sector, he found that he could put his cleaning skills to use. With the help of his best friend’s sister, he opens a cleaning service and through word of mouth, his company is hired by Jeremy.

When these two meet there is instant chemistry, but, unfortunately, Connor has lived his whole life in the closet, and Jeremy is most assuredly out and proud. This leaves Jeremy wondering if Connor is even gay, and Connor trying to decide if he can risk leaving his closet for the man who flips all his switches.

There are a few things holding Connor back, the biggest of those things being his best friend and fellow ex-Marine, Mario. Luckily Mario’s sister Sabrina gives him some great advice, and maybe sets up a situation or two to push Jeremy and Connor together. And while Jeremy’s best friend David isn’t too sure about Connor in the beginning, he does eventually come around and when he joins forces with Sabrina, sparks begin to fly.

These two guys couldn’t be more different, but they seem to mesh very well. They have just enough in common to complement each other. Their differences are enough to keep things interesting for sure. When things seem to be going well for them, some miscommunications lead to the two of them almost losing everything they ever wanted. To fix things, Connor has to decide if his closet is as comfortable as Jeremy’s bed, and Jeremy has to decide if he can be patient enough with Connor’s gradual coming out.

Coming Clean was a fun story to read. I loved Jeremy’s character. There is just something about a nerdy professor type falling in love with a former Marine. The only thing better than that is that same former Marine falling right back.

The supporting characters in this story were very entertaining, and the fact that they wouldn’t let the two men screw up a good thing when they saw it was perfect.

Silvia Violet has done a wonderful job, as usual, with this story. Reading about a hardened Marine falling in love over Shakespeare was very sweet. I would love to be able to revisit these two in the future. They truly brought a smile to my face, and this is definitely a book I would re-read when I needed a pick me up.

The Novel Approach is pleased to welcome Silvia Violet today on the Burning Up blog tour, Book Three in the Fitting In series.

I asked Silvia to share with us her thoughts on the subject of what makes firefighters great leading men in romance. Here’s what she had to say:

Silvia: While I prefer the main characters in a romance whether m/f, m/m, m/m/f, m/m/m or any other combination to all be strong men or women willing to stand up for themselves, I do love the idea of a romantic lead who could rescue me from danger. Prince Charming on his white steed doesn’t always fit the bill in our modern society, but a brave firefighter who puts his life on the line to save lives surely does. The firefighters I’ve met in real life as well as many of those I’ve read about in books, have been courteous and willing to go the extra mile to help out those around them whether they were on duty or not. Strong, capable, and caring—a winning combination for a romance hero.

In Burning Up, the main characters Bryce, Toby, and Matt have to figure out how to mange a threeway relationship. I think firefighters already have some of the skills it takes to handle this situation because they have to work closely with the other firefighters in their unit and they have to develop trust and the willingness to listen. Team work, trust, and communication skills are essential in making a threesome work.

Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter giveaway too. Just click on the widget below for the chance to win a $25 Gift Card at Amazon or All Romance eBooks.

Good luck!

Blurb: Bryce has been a firefighter for ten years, but when a horrific house fire leaves him reeling, he moves to a new city, hoping to shove those memories behind him. As he adjusts to his new station, Bryce keeps to himself until Matt and Toby, two hot young men in his unit, throw temptation in his path. Bryce knows better than to mess around with men he works with, especially two newbies who are in the closet. But after a difficult day, Matt and Toby offer him compassion and friendship, which slips so easily into sex Bryce finds the combination irresistible.

Matt and Toby want to expand their relationship to include a third, and they’ve set their sights on their sexy bear of a lieutenant. Their first night together is a scorcher, and, more than that, it feels right, to all of them. But since Bryce refuses to hide who he is, and dating men on his shift is against the rules, all three men are going to have to make some tough choices if they want to stay together.

Author Bio: Silvia Violet writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary, sci fi, and historical. She can be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to.When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinfully delicious treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading to her incorrigible offspring.

Cheers, everyone, and welcome back for a wee peek at all the fun and fantastic guests we have in store for you in the coming week. Articles, interviews, release day celebrations and giveaways galore will accompany another week of reviews here at The Novel Approach, and we can’t wait to share it all with you.

Here’s what’s on tap!

Monday – Skylar M. Cates kicks off the week on the Here for You blog tour

Cardeno C. joins us today as well, on the Home Series blog tour

Tuesday – Jordan Castillo Price is here today to celebrate the release of the third and final book in the Mnevermind trilogy, Life is Awesome, with an interview

Wednesday – Today, Silvia Violet stops by on the Burning Up blog tour

Thursday – Susan Mac Nicol joins us on the Sight and Sinner blog tour

Friday – Mia Kerick drops by today on the Inclination blog tour

We’ll also have author JT Cheyenne with us on the Ansleigh’s Grotto blog tour

Saturday – RJ Scott is our guest today with an interview on the Max and the Prince blog tour

Sunday – And finally, to close out a busy week, we have author Eli Easton with us on the Howl at the Moon blog tour

And that brings another week to a close. Until next time, happy reading!

Blurb: Special Agent Hugh Cranford, better known as Sport, is conducting an off-the-record investigation. He’s after Danny O’Sullivan, a spy rumored to have assisted in the ambush of Sport’s former SEAL team. Danny claims he and Sport are on the same side, and the real traitor is the man Sport is working for. But Danny is a master manipulator. He’s also the most seductive man Sport has ever met. Sport can’t help being attracted to him, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to trust him.

In his quest to bring down a few highly-placed traitors in the US government, Danny O’Sullivan has been keeping tabs on Sport. When Sport comes looking for him, Danny decides to bring Sport in on his secret mission and into his bed. Sport may not trust Danny, but he wants him. As the two men risk their lives to complete Danny’s mission, they discover neither is as strong as they like to pretend.

Blurb: Special Agent Hugh Cranford, better known as Sport, is conducting an off-the-record investigation. He’s after Danny O’Sullivan, a spy rumored to have assisted in the ambush of Sport’s former SEAL team.

Danny claims he and Sport are on the same side, and the real traitor is the man Sport is working for. But Danny is a master manipulator. He’s also the most seductive man Sport has ever met. Sport can’t help being attracted to him, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to trust him. Continue reading →

Blurb: Kenneth Carver had everything growing up except warmth and acceptance. When protecting his family’s name became more than he could bear, he came out as gay, sold his company, and bought a horse ranch. Continue reading →

“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” ― Seneca

Title: Pressure Points (Pisgah Mountain Wolves #2)

Author: Silvia Violet

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages/Word Count: 196 Pages

Rating: 4 Stars

Blurb: It’s hard enough being an inn manager, serving at everyone’s beck and call, making sure all the guests are happy and the employees are paid on time. Add to that being a werewolf, a recovering alcoholic, and a pack leader. Add to that a brother who is trying to tear the pack apart and a dark past he can’t escape. Needless to say, Carl is under a lot of stress. Not helping: Justin, the inn’s human massage therapist—who Carl is trying not to fall for—has offered Carl a massage to “lower his stress levels.” As his boss, Carl can’t tell Justin his hands might lower stress levels, but they would raise something else.Continue reading →

The Novel Approach is thrilled to welcome Silvia today on her Pressure Points Tour. Prepare yourselves for a Three Question Quickie, and then see what Silvia’s giving away!

TNA: What are some true stories you think would make great novel plots?

Silvia: I read an article recently about 25 year old twins who were adopted separately shortly after birth who found each other on Facebook, never having known they had a twin. One of them saw the other in a You Tube video and was stunned by how much they looked alike. Then she looked the woman up on FB and saw they were born on the same day in the same city and were both adopted. I think this would make a great book. To add a romance element, one of the twins could have a close friend that the other twin fell in love with. That might bring tension because the twins need time to get to know each other but the love interest is keeping them apart.

I also think any celebrity coming out story – sports stars, actors, musicians could easily become a novel plot.

TNA: What’s the best way to kill fictional people?

Silvia: A fictional gun works wonders. Also a knife, werewolf claws and fangs, or a Spec Ops agent with a pair of tweezers. I don’t tend to kill a lot of people in my books or to take as much glee in fictional deaths as some writers do. But when I do kill someone off, I try to make sure the death needed to happen and that the readers can feel the emotions surrounding it. I’m excited to be attending Writer’s Police Academy next fall where I’m hoping to learn more about some of the technical aspects – weaponry, forensics, etc—of writing deaths scenes.

TNA: What inspires you, or what makes you crazy?

Music, especially country music, inspires a lot of my stories. And of course, pictures of hot men. When I spot pics that need a story or ones that fit a story I’m working on, I grab them and put them in my character inspiration file. Sometimes a new inspiration will fit perfectly with one of the pics I’ve had saved and suddenly a character has a love interest. For general inspiration, I can always turn to my Karl Urban folder or scroll through tumblr. Reading inspires me because I want to write stories that touch readers as much as my favorite stories touch me.

Not having time to write when a scene is clear in my mind and I need to get it written before it slips away drives me crazy and so does seeing a scene in my head play out like a movie but not being able to figure out how to translate those images into words.

Available Now From Dreamspinner Press

Blurb:

Pisgah Mountain Wolves: Book Two

It’s hard enough being an inn manager, serving at everyone’s beck and call, making sure all the guests are happy and the employees are paid on time. Add to that being a werewolf, a recovering alcoholic, and a pack leader. Add to that a brother who is trying to tear the pack apart and a dark past he can’t escape. Needless to say, Carl is under a lot of stress. Not helping: Justin, the inn’s human massage therapist—who Carl is trying not to fall for—has offered Carl a massage to “lower his stress levels.” As his boss, Carl can’t tell Justin his hands might lower stress levels, but they would raise something else.

Despite Carl trying to put him off, Justin won’t give in. Carl’s friends won’t leave him alone, and the divisions in the pack are near exploding. And it’s tourist season. The last thing Carl needs are wolf wars in the lobby. Like it or not, Carl is going to have to rely on Justin and the wolves who love him to teach him how to let go and get through everything without falling apart.

Author Bio:

Silvia Violet writes erotic romance in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary, sci fi, and historical. She can be found haunting coffee shops looking for the darkest, strongest cup of coffee she can find. Once equipped with the needed fuel, she can happily sit for hours pounding away at her laptop. Silvia typically leaves home disguised as a suburban stay-at-home-mom, and other coffee shop patrons tend to ask her hilarious questions like “Do you write children’s books?” She loves watching the looks on their faces when they learn what she’s actually up to. When not writing, Silvia enjoys baking sinfully delicious treats, exploring new styles of cooking, and reading to her incorrigible offspring.

John Goode’s151 Days comes out on March 20, 2014, and we’ve got him and the Foster High boys, Kyle Stilleno and Brad Graymark, here with an exclusive interview

A.J. Corza’s also back today with another installment of Got You Covered

Thursday – JP Barnaby kicks off her Spencer Blog Tour right here at The Novel Approach. We’ll have an exclusive interview with Aaron and Spencer, and Zach and David from Rowan Speedwell’s Finding Zach, and there’s also a giveaway

Friday – HL Holston and Eleanor Bruce will be here for the second visit of the week in the RainbowCon Celebration Countdown, and there’ll be a giveaway

Silvia Violet joins us on her Pressure Points Blog Tour, and she’ll be bring a giveaway

Saturday – Today, we’ll have the honor of debuting the cover art for Jordan L. Hawk’sNecropolis, Book Four in the Whyborne & Griffin Series

“…this world is just a place for us to learn that we need each other more than we want to admit.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

Title: Willing Hands (Wild R Farm #5)

Author: Silvia Violet

Publisher: Silvia Violet Books

Pages/Word Count: 220 Pages

Rating: 4 Stars

Blurb: Will has a temper as wild as the bear he holds inside. Normally he’s an easy-going, caring guy, but if someone crosses him, he uses his claws and shifter strength to set them straight. His temper ruined his chance at the career he wanted, but now he’s working at Wild R Farm, enjoying the camaraderie and longing for more with one special man.Continue reading →

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

Title: Sorting Out

Author: Silvia Violet

Publisher: Self-Published

Pages/Word Count: 222

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb: Jack, Gray, and Mason have accepted that loves comes in many flavors and settled into a three-way relationship. Things haven’t been easy, and now that Mason has gone back to school and Gray is interested in a detective position, Jack is feeling lonely. His lovers aren’t around very often, and he misses lying around in bed, enjoying the benefits of living with two hot men. But Jack has secrets. He’s uncomfortable every time he puts his uniform on. He’s never recovered from seeing Mason held hostage, and he’s no longer sure he was meant to be a cop.Continue reading →

“Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.” – Amanda Cross

Title: Hot Off the Range

Author: Anthology

Publisher: Mischief Corner Books

Pages/Word Count: 443

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb: Riding and herding. Those spurs that jingle-jangle-jingle. What is it about cowboys that so doggedly fires the imagination? Join the Mischief Corner authors as they give you their own unique takes on the cowboy mystique and mythos, from the American West, to Australia, to outer space. The cowboy story will never be the same…Continue reading →

Review: This is kind of new for me. I have reviewed a story from an anthology before, but I haven’t ever tackled a full anthology review. I have always loved reading anthologies, I like that I can read a little short from a few of my fave authors, and sometimes find a new author thrown into the mix. This one was chock full of some of my favorite authors, so that was just a big old bonus :).Continue reading →